Summary:
South Georgia adds another dimension to your Antarctic adventure. This historic island offers superb photographic opportunities, vast king penguin colonies, fur and elephant seals, and the chance to follow in the wake of one of the great heroes of Antarctic exploration: Sir Ernest Shackleton, who is buried in Grytviken at the foot of South Georgia’s mountain range. On the Falkland Islands, spend time leisurely hiking to penguin rookeries and other unspoiled wildlife habitats, or perhaps stroll the village streets of Port Stanley.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, ArgentinaEmbark the vessel in the afternoon and sail through the scenic Beagle Channel.

Day 2: At SeaAs you sail toward the Falklands, keep an eye out for several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels. The waters here are rich in krill, making them a favorite with local wildlife searching for food.

Day 3: Falkland IslandsSpend the whole day on the fascinating western side of the archipelago. Hike along the Shore of Carcass Island giving views of Magellanic and Gentoo-Penguins, as well as close encounters with water fowl, night herons and passerines. In addition, on Saunders you can observe four species of breeding penguins (Gentoo, King, Magellanic and Rockhopper), Black-browed Albatrosses and King Cormorants.

Day 4: Port Stanley, Falkland IslandsExperience Falkland culture, which has some South American characteristics as well as Victorian charm. You are free to wander around on your own. Recommend is a visit to the local church and museum (admission fees not included).

Days 5 - 6: At SeaOn the way to South Georgia, cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature will drop by as much as 10 degrees C in the time span of only a few hours. Near the Convergence you’ll see a multitude of southern seabirds near the ship; several species of Albatrosses, Shearwaters, Petrels, Prions and Skuas.

Days 7 - 10: South GeorgiaIn the afternoon, arrive at your first landing site in South Georgia. Sites may include a visit to the bay of Elsehul, with its very active fur seal breeding beach, and then set course to Right Whale Bay, Salisbury Plain, Godthul, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour, Cooper Bay and/or Drygalski Fjord. Whatever the itinerary be, a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like the introduced Reindeer, Elephant seals, Fur seals, King and Macaroni Penguins will exist. One of the highlights could be a visit to Prion Island to witness the breeding efforts of the huge Wandering Albatross and enjoy watching their displays.

At Fortuna Bay, you may try to follow in the footsteps of the great British Explorer Ernest Shackleton and hike over to Stømness Bay. There and at Grytviken you’ll see an abandoned whaling village, where King Penguins now roam the streets and seals have taken over the buildings. At Grytviken, you’ll also visit the Whaling History Museum as well as Shackleton´s grave.

Day 11: At SeaEnjoy time at sea followed by a multitude of seabirds. At some point the ship may encounter sea-ice, and it is at this ice-edge where you might have a chance to see some high-Antarctic species like the McCormick Skua and Snow Petrel.

Day 12: South Orkney IslandsVisit Orcadas Station, an Argentinean base located in the South Orkney Islands. The friendly base personnel will give you a tour of their facilities while you enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers.

Day 13: At SeaEnroute to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Days 14 - 16: Antarctic PeninsulaSail into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound. Huge tabular icebergs will announce your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. At Brown Bluff, you may set foot on the Continent.

Charlotte Bay on the west coast of Graham Land was discovered by Adrien de Gerlache during the 1897–99 Belgica expedition and named after the fiancée of Georges Lecointe, Gerlache's executive officer, hydrographer and second-in-command of the expedition. The topography of the surrounding area is mountainous, with nunataks rising through the ice. Charlotte Bay is often filled with icebergs. Spot seals on ice floes and occasional kelp gulls, skuas, shags, or penguins. In Wilhelmina Bay, admire the rugged ice coated mountains of the Arctowski Peninsula.

At Deception Island, the ship braves its entrance into the crater through the spectacular Neptune’s Bellow into the ring of Deception Island. Deception itself is a sub-ducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.

Days 17 - 18: At SeaHeading north, you’ll again be followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the infamous Drake Passage.

Day 19: Ushuaia, ArgentinaArrive in the morning in Ushuaia, disembark and transfer to the airport.

Trip Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

Mandatory Travel Insurance:As a requirement of participation on this expedition, all passengers must purchase insurance including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends at least $200,000 Emergency Medical/Evacuation coverage for Antarctic trips which includes coverage for cancellation, trip disruption, baggage and personal property. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this.

Included: Voyage aboard the designated vessel as indicated in the itinerary; all meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; free use of rubber boots on loan; group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation); all shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac; program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff; miscellaneous service taxes and port charges; comprehensive pre-departure material. Subject to change without notice.

Not Included:Any airfare; pre- and post-land arrangements; transfers to the vessel; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; travel insurance; kayaking; excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for the ship's crew; fuel surcharge may apply.

True experts with first-hand polar experience, the ExpeditionTrips staff has sailed on the ships they represent; with a combined amount of 100 Antarctic trips between them;and can help you thoroughly compare and contrast the expeditions.

Their approach to travel is highly personal and professional, offering unbiased travel assistance to ensure you choose the very best Antarctica trip to meet your needs!

ExpeditionTrips works only with the highest quality small ships-all under 200 passengers-ranging from a 48-passenger Russian research vessel to a 200-passenger luxury expedition ship.